Galt’s Hands-on History program advances Orange Shirt Day

By Justin Seward - Lethbridge Herald on September 10, 2024.

Herald photo by Justin Seward Maxis Gilmore tie dies socks during the Hands on History: Orange Shirt Day activity on Saturday at the Galt Museum.

While National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is not until Sept. 30, the Galt Museum hosted an early recognition with a Hands-on History: Orange Shirt Day activity on Saturday.

The national day is meant to honour children who never came home and for those who survived residential schools.

Children and their caregiver had the opportunity to tie die socks in black and orange to recognize Orange Shirt Day.

“So Orange Shirt Day as an understanding of the symbol of the shirt, of Phyllis Webstad’s story of the importance of the colour orange, but in a different practical way and a fun way to bring the story of resilience to our everyday shoes,” said Kristin Krein, the Museum’s community programming coordinator.

Krein said it’s important to understand the message and know that when you are wearing these socks, you’re walking in a good way, you’re understanding why you made them.

Guests learned what the orange shirt stands for, how long the day has had recognition and what the day is about.

“I asked who’s heard of residential schools and everyone’s hand went up,” said Krein.

“It’s really exciting and really empowering to see everybody on the same page of knowing about this day.”

Krein said there’s a lot of things that are put on by Indigenous organizations, put on by the City of Lethbridge, put on by each individual school.

“So it’s nice for me to have something as we’re starting this month, so that reconciliation and the work that is needed for it isn’t one day a year , it can be multiple days, it can be forever,” said Krein.

Krein hosted this event for the Galt in the two years previous where she made shirts with people in the first year and did tote bags last year.

There will be a Creative Community: Orange Shirt Day activity at the Galt today from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.